S.T.A.N.C.E.
John F. Coburn

Spiritual training and knowledge concerning eternity (S.T.A.N.C.E.)

As we draw from the fountain of life (wisdom) and from the well of guidance (knowledge) we embark upon a Spiritual journey that's rewarding and refreshing to our soul. We move into the area of becoming efficient in the operation of Spiritual knowledge.

James 4:7 says, "Therefore submit yourself unto God; resist the devil and he will flee from you". In order for this scripture to work in our life we must obey the first clause of that scripture. Submit to God, only then can we partake of the second clause, "resist the devil and he will flee from you". Many Christians attempt to put the buggy before the horse. They resist the devil, but refuse to submit to God. It's only in submitting to God that we experience His power to resist the devil.

Sometimes we ignore the Spiritual procedure within God's Word. We fall into a slumber or become discouraged, preventing our faith from working for us. Persistence and consistency is the key to walking in the truth of the kingdom of heaven. Next to possessing the knowledge of God is knowing that it works. Spiritual knowledge can only be tested and proved by application. On the job training is the best experience with the Holy Spirit as our teacher.

If we walk as Jesus walked we will be able to operate in the Word of God at the level in which Jesus did. I believe that we can put ourselves in a position to qualify for the spirit without measure (John 14:12) "proving what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God", Romans 12:2. Jesus dominated the Spiritual and natural elements of this world by the power of God's Word.

There are two points I would like to share with you from the book of Galatians. First, Galatians 5:6 says, "Faith works by love". The insight I received from this verse is "love" is the operative word that causes my faith to work. Everything must be done in love and out of love. Faith is love in action. Love is the key to living a victorious Christian life. As brother Kenneth Copeland would say, "this is extreme Christianity".

Secondly, Galatians 6:9 says,"Grow not weary in well doing, for we shall reap in due season if we faint not". Many of us have fainted before our due season, therefore neglecting an opportunity to reap a harvest. We have allowed sense knowledge to dictate to us if the Word of God is working on our behalf. God has assured us His Word will not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11).

Sense knowledge (sight, sound, smell, taste and touch) has become an enemy to the knowledge of God. If we don't feel or see God working in our situation then we think He's not at work. Remember, "The just shall live by faith", Romans 1:17. "For we walk by faith, not by sight", II Cor. 5:7. Brother Bill Winston stated, "Asam went from receiving revelation from God to operating on information - the things he knew through his five senses". Ephesians 2:10 let us know we were born to walk in kingdom knowledge and govern natural circumstances Spiritually. We were created for this purpose in Christ Jesus.